Proposed Landing Ramp at Dougarie

Forestry Commission Scotland is currently exploring whether timber from the west of Arran can be taken off the island at Dougarie.

The main objective is to reduce the amount of timber haulage on public roads and to reduce congestion in the seafront and busy port of Brodick.

However, it should be said that this proposal is at a very early stage and it is exploratory – no decisions have been made. Although the Dougarie proposal offers savings in haulage costs in the long term, neither Forestry Commission Scotland, nor its private sector partners have as yet secured the investment capital required to build either the landing or an associated bypass road through the forest.

There have been other moves already to reduce the impacts of timber lorries on Arran’s fragile public roads. The Commission took action in the north-east of Arran to reduce timber traffic through Corrie and the narrow coastal route to Brodick. About 48,000 tonnes (2000 lorry movements) will be exported by sea via a landing ramp in the forest at North Sannox.

Forestry Commission Scotland is also reviewing a small number of other potential sites around the island where timber might be removed by barge or landing craft.

All work to date at the Dougarie site has been purely exploratory to confirm its suitability for a landing facility. If or when this phase is completed the next step would be to apply to Marine Scotland for a Marine Licence and thereafter apply for Planning Permission for the landing facility, stacking area and new route through the forest.

We are very aware that local people are interested in these proposals and want to know more. We are very happy to explain this and if plans are taken forward there will be plenty opportunity for further consultation, especially within the planning process.